Plans to be considered for affordable rented housing on former community centre site

By Nicki Jakeman, News Reporter

FLASHBACK: Gutted the Cherry Tree Avenue flats which were due for demolition destroyed by fire in Mach 2019

A PLANNING application for erection of 16 dwellings and associated infrastructure at land and buildings at Cherry Tree Avenue, Withernsea will be discussed at a remote meeting of the Eastern Area Planning Sub-committee on Monday, June 8.

The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 16 dwellings by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for 100 per cent affordable rented housing. This will be in the form of a block of four onebedroomed flats, a block of six one-bedroomed flats, and two terraces each comprising three two-bedroomed houses.

The application is recommended for approval with conditions as set out in the committee report by Alan Menzies, East Riding Council’s director of planning and economic regeneration.

The application has been referred to the sub-committee as it is an application by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The application site was previously occupied by a councilowned two-storey block of 18 flats and a community centre, which were demolished last year. The site is now cleared and ready for redevelopment.

The Gazette reported in January 2019 how East Riding of Yorkshire Council issued statutory notices for the demolition of the flats along with the former Whitethorne Avenue Community Centre.

A fire, which was believed to be arson, destroyed one of the first-floor flats within the block just hours before work was due to begin on Monday, March 18, 2019. The flat was gutted by the fire and a partial roof collapse occurred.

Demolition began on the block of flats, which had been blighted with vandalism and anti-social behavior problems, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.

The council also revealed the proposals for the development of the site, to include a mix of new two-bed houses and one-bed flats in order to meet local demand.

In the planning application’s committee report for the proposed redevelopment, it says evidence, from both the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) 2019 (which updates evidence contained within the 2016 SHMA) for the East Riding and the council’s own housing register, shows the need for additional affordable housing remains high throughout the local authority area.

The committee report concludes: “The proposals would be an acceptable form of residential development within a residential area in this town location. The proposals would be for 100 per cent affordable housing by the Council (and will be required to retain at least 15 per cent as affordable units
in perpetuity) which would go towards meeting the identified needs for such forms of housing within the settlement. Other benefits would be in the form of contributions towards open space requirements.

“The proposed scheme of development is considered acceptable in terms of its impact on the character, appearance and amenities of the surrounding area and would integrate acceptably with surrounding development without adversely affecting their amenities. The development would be acceptable in terms of its access and parking provision. It is also appropriately located in terms of its low risk from flooding, and suitable drainage would be provided so as not to increase the risk of flooding to the surrounding area. As such it would accord with requirements within relevant policies within the East Riding Local Plan Strategy Document and National Planning Policy Framework. There are no material planning considerations which would indicate a recommendation other than for support.”